Projector oil distribution system



s213514, 1954 w. BORBERG 2,689,021

PROJECTOR OIL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Nov. 25, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l WILLY BORBERG Bu z E (Itforneg 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. BORBERG PROJECTOR OIL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM l'mventor WILLY BORBERG Gttorneg Sept. 14, 1954 Filed Nov. 25, 1949 Sept. 14, 1954 W. BORBERG 2,689,021

PROJECTOR OIL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Nov. 25, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lhwmrmny Mmmm IN V EN TOR.

| R 1:4 O Blyv I LY Bo BERG Patented Sept. 14, 1954 PROJECTOR OIL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Willy Borberg, Astoria, N. Y., assignor to International Projector Corporation, Bloomfield, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application November 25, 1949, Serial No. 129,315

21 Claims. l

This invention relates to improvements in automatic lubricating systems for lubricating the moving parts of motion picture projecting machines, including the distribution of the lubricant; the automatic lubrication of the intermittent movement, and ythe prevention of leakage of lubricant onto the film carrying parts of the projector. l

In the present invention, the lower end of the machine compartment is conveniently closed to constitute or form an oil reservoir or well from which the oil is drawn by a pump and led through a tube to the upper part of the machine compartment, the tube discharging the oil onto the usual vand Well-known governor controlling the operation of the re shutter, the governor in turn, operating to disperse the oil throughout the machine compartment Aand onto all the exposed moving parts contained therein.

However, special provision is made to supply the enclosed intermittent movement parts with an adequate amount of oil. These enclosed parts include, in the present illustration of the invention, a cam and star wheel of the typical Geneva movement, although it is to be understood that other forms -of intermittent lm feed mechanismssuch as that shown in U. S. patent to Nicolas Power, No. 1,129,121, issued February 23, 1915, could be substituted for the form herein illustrated Without departing from the invention.

The quality of the picture projection as far as screen image-steadiness is concerned, depends mainly upon the accurate functioning of the intermittent movement, which operates to pull the lm down intermittently at a normalrate of 24 frames per second.

It must be realized that the pull-down time at the stated rate amounts to Ibut in@ of a second, and that at this speed, the weights and sizes of the intermittently operating parts should be held to the minimum consistent with strength.

These requirements necessitate the locationof the intermittent housing in close proximity to the film center line to obtain a short shaft of low mass for coupling the intermittent rllm feeding sprocket with its intermittent mechanism, as a Geneva star wheel, or a fin-cross of the Powers patent, Vabove referred to.

The provision of a short coupling shaft requires the location of the housing enclosing the intermittent driving parts as close to the center line of the lm as possible. In the present instance, -the housing is located inside the main frame partition separating the film compartment from the mechanism compartment which latter compartment, during the operation of the machine, is consta-nth7 sprayed with lubricant, the short coupling shaft with its sprocket extending into the dry lm compartment.

Obviously, the lubricant falling by gravity in the wet mechanism compartment would not readily find its way into the chamber of the housing enclosing the intermittent drive mechanism, and this diiculty is increased when the projector is ltilted downwardly, say 35 degrees from the horizontal, or upwardly, say, l5 degrees from the horizontal. Such la tilting results in shifting the location of the oil receiving holes for catching the vertically dripping lubricant, when the projector is in its horizontal position, to a location wherein the oil receiving holes lie at an angle to the vertically dripping oil, the paths of which oil droplets are displaced from those followed when the projector is in its horizontal position.

Also, ythe problem heretofore encountered, of supplying lubricant to the intermittent chamber in any operating position is further complicated by the requirement that the intermittent housing be free for rocking adjustment through a degree arc in film framing operations.

Hence it will be seen that, `due to the fact that the closed chamber in which the effective elements of the intermittent mechanism are located, is itself enclosed within the partition separating the wet and dry sides of the projector head, and also in View of the necessity for rotating the intermittent mechanism in film framing operations, the gravity drenching lubricating methods of the prior art cannot be relied upon to provide a supply of oil for a closed circulatory oiling system through the intermittent movement.

Therefore, one object of this invention is the provision of an automatic force feed circulatory lubrication system for the intermittent movement.

A (1o-related Iobject is the provision of a force feed lubricating system which is contained within the intermittent movement itself so as to be capable of efhcient operation in any position to which the intermittent movement may be ladjusted.

It is quite essential that the operating side of the projector head through which the lm travels, bey dry, that is that no lubricant be permitted to leak from the intermittent movement housing along the star Wheel shaft to the intermittent feed sprocket, with -a possibility of contact with the film.

Another object of the invention, therefore, is

the provision of means to automatically prevent leakage of lubricant to the intermittent sprocket which means, operating in a novel manner utilizes the suction pump principle.

A further object is the utilization of the well known centrifugal governor which controls the fire shutter, as a means to diffuse the lubricant about the operating mechanismen the wet side of the projector head, thereby avoiding the provision of a special device for this purpose.

Still another object is to provide means to., automatically maintain a correct oil level in the intermittent chamber and to drain excess lubricant into the sump or reservoir regardless of the tilt or position to which the machine and the intermittent movement may be adjusted;

The effective elements of the intermittent movement, as for instance, the star wheel. and'` cam, as well as the intermittent shaft bearing are critical parts and require the utmost precision in manufacture to act lunder extremely close tolerances. Any undesirable substances should be excluded from the compartment housing the intermittent movement.

Hence, a still further object of this invention is the provision of aV filter capable of removing very fine particles from the oil as it is forced through the closed circulatory system for the intermittent movement.

Other objects and advantages will be more clearly disclosed in the following specification and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side View of the non-operating-side of a motion picture projecting machine of the Simplex type, to which the present invention is applied, parts having no relation to theA invention disclosed being omitted;

Fig. 2'is an enlarged detail view in horizontal cross-section taken on line 2--2 ofFig. 4, showing the intermittent mechanism, and the selfcontained lubricating system therefor;

Fig. 3 isa detail end view of the inner bearing of the intermittent drive shaft, showing-the arrangement of the excess oil' discharge outlets;

Fig. ly is a detail end view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, showing` the intermittent movement in one of its angular positions which it may assume in framing, together with the dualy purpose cam shaft drivegears and` pump;

Fig. 5 is a detailv end view ofv the star Wheel partly in section, showing one form of oil discharging suction slingers or ports;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional` view` partly cross-` sectioned to show the star wheel shaft duct communicating Withthe radial discharge suction, or slinger ports;

Fig. 7 is asimilar view showing the starwheel shaft equipped with radial and inclined discharge slingers; and

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the; star showing the dispersing slingerkept free from moisture, lubricant and extraneous material that would damage the film.

The left-hand side of the machine is known as the non-operating side and this chamber houses the mechanism for driving and operating the various appurtenances of the projecting machine, such as the vertical counter-shaft I4, the driving means includingl the, upper, and lower drive gears I8? and I9 meshing with driven gears 2U and 2`I on the upper and lower film feeding sprocket shafts 22 and 23, and the intermittent film feed, and shutter driving mechanisms. Unlike the right-hand or Operating chamber housing the iilm, the non-operating chamber housingjthe driving mechanisms is showered with lubricant. Machines utilizing this characteristic are known in the trade as Wet machines.

The' drawings illustrating the present invention omitA much of the above mentioned mechanisms which do not directly co-acts with the novel features.

A vertical shaft bracket I 2, fast to the vertical partition or center frame II` carries a pair of alined bearings, I3, I3' for the vertical countershaft I4* which as stated, supplies power to theA A motor to accommodate feed sprockets, not shown. A

spiral gear 24 fast on the vertical counter-shaft I4, through mechanism, not shown, drives the usual mutilated, light-interrupting shutter, alsov not shown.

A centrifugal governor fast on the upper end ofthevertical counter-shaft I4, includes pivotally mounted, weighted arms 25 connected by, a spring 26 which normally holds the weighted arms in depending positions.

Fingers 28` on the arms and extending beyond ther pivoted ends ofthe arms 25 engages beneath the head of a plunger 29 loosely seated in a socket (not shown) in the upper end of the vertical counter-shaftto holdv the plunger elevated when the weighted arms are in their depending positions. sof that the head of the plunger will maintain in raised position the contacting end of a spring-pressed lever 30 fast on a fire shuttercontrol shaft 3I extending through the partitionl II, to hold the usual' fire shutter (not shown) in effective position across the projection aperture, reference being made to U. S. patent to Proksa 1,749,779, March 11, 1930, disclosing a. similar structure.

Inv operation, the` centrifugal actionimparted to the governor as the vertical counter-shaft attains its normal speed, causes the depending weighted arms 25 to automatically swing outwardly and upwardly, resulting in lowering the fingers 28 to depress the plunger 29 which permits the spring-pressed lever 30 to rock the rc shutter control shaft 3| to shift the fire shutter and uncover the projection aperture.

The governor spring 26, aided by the gravity of the weighted arms 25, is superior to the spring tension on the rocking lever 36, so that when the speed of rotation of the vertical counter-shaft reduces below the required number of rotations per minute, the weighted arms, assisted by the spring 26, swing downwardly, which action will rock the fingers 28 upwardly to force the plunger 29 upwardly against the spring-tensioned rocker lever 30, rocking the latter and the nre shutter shaft 3| to return the re shutter to its effective position.

The foregoing described mechanisms are well known in the art and constitute lpart of this invention only insofar as they combine with the novel features hereinafter disclosed.

To provide for the diffusion of a suitable lubricant, as oil, throughout the non-operating chamber of the .projector head,` in the form of mist, fine spray or droplets which will cover all the exposed moving parts, the impervious bottom of the chamber is used as a reservoir or sump for a quantity of oil, the level of which lies above the intake opening 40, Fig. 1, of a tube 4I leading to a suitable pump 42 of any well known type, that shown being a varied, eccentric disk pump.

The intake opening of the tube 4I may be provided with a suitable filter 43 immersed below the liquid level. In Fig. 1 of the drawings this filter is located near the rear end of the well or reservoir where the liquid level will be highest when, as in drive-in or outdoor theatres, the projecting machine is tilted rearwardly to center the picture image on the screen. When the projecting machine is to be used indoors, for instance, Where the machine is above the screen, the intake tube 4I and filter will be located beneath the pump at the front end of the well.

The base plate of the oil pump 42 is flanged, as indicated at 46, to overlie the bracket I2y to which it is secured.

A pinion 41 on the drive shaft I6 and fast with the shaft drive gear I5, meshes with a pump gear 48 to draw in a charge of lubricant from the well through the intake tube 4I and eject the oil through an outlet tube 49 leading upwardly from the discharge opening of the pump, and to a point over the whirling, weighted governor arms 25, onto which the oil is discharged in a continuous stream to belcomminuted by the forcible contact of the arms and Weights with the falling fluid, the oil thereupon forming a mist or'sp-ray driven in one direction only by the impact of the governor arms against the fluid, about the nonoperating chamber to cover all exposed parts Within the chamber with a lm of oil.

The centrifugal governor lends itself very well f" to the additional purpose of shattering or atomizing the fluid into minute droplets.

Also it is obvious that, as the counter-shaft I4 (which drives the governor) and they pump 42 are both directly actuated by the drive shaft I6, the oil will not be fed to the governor unless the governor is being actuated, and that when the drive shaft is at rest, no actuation of either the governor or the oil pump occurs.

However well the oil mist or spray is disseminated about the non-operating chamber or wet side of the projector head, no appreciable amount of oil Will penetrate to the intermittent drive movement contained within its closed rotatable housing 56 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) journaled in the frame I I of the machine.

To remedy this condition and supply adequate lubrication, I have provided the intermittent movement with its own self-contained automatic power-driven lubricating system. The center frame or partition II of the projection head is formed with an oppositely flanged circular opening 60 (Fig. 2) constituting a bearing for a eircular cam ring 6I having an eccentrically located bore 62 to accommodate the cylindrical casing head 50 to which the circular cam ring is secured, the casing head being chambered at its inner end at 64, and having at its outer end a projecting arm 65 arcuate in cross-section, connecting the cylindrical casing 50 with a bearing yoke 66 eccentric to the chambered casing, as shown in Fig. 1. A jack or drive shaft 61 is journaled in bearings 68, 69 mounted in seats 10 and 1I in the head of the cylindric casing and in the bearing yoke 66, respectively, the axial center of the bearings 68, 69 and the jack shaft 61 lying in line with the longitudinal center of the bearing ring 6I. A second set of bearings 12, 13 are seated in alined holes in the head of the cylindrical casing 58 and in the bearing yoke 66, respectively, and are spaced radially apart from their companion bearing seats 10 and 1I, to support a Geneva cam shaft or intermediate shaft 'I4 for rotation in intermittent nlm feeding.

In framing operations, rocking the bearing casing 517 with its connected bearing yoke 66 and cam ring EI in the bearing 60 about the longitudinal axis of the jack shaft 51 as a centerl will cause the cam shaft 14 to travel bodily about the jack shaft.

The inner end of the cam shaft 14 protrudes into the closed chamber 64 at the inner end of the casing head 5I) and carries the well known Geneva cam 15 and crank Ipin 16. A cover plate 11 closes the open end of the chamber 64 and is provided with an eccentrically located hub 18 extending into the operating chamber of the projector head and bored in exact alinement with the longitudinal axis of the jack shaft 61 to accommodate a sleeve bearing 19 for the star wheel shaft 8U. protrudes beyond the inner end of the bearing 19 into the chamber 64 through the cover plate 11 and carries the usual Geneva star wheel 8I in position to be alternately engaged by the crank pin 'I6 and by the cam 15 on the cam shaft 14. The intermittent film feed sprocket 82 is `fast on the outer end of the star wheel shaft 80, said extreme outer end of the star wheel shaft being supported in a bearing 83 at the outer end of a bracket arm 84 projecting from the cover plate 11.

Recalling that rotation of the casing head 50 eccentrically about the longitudinal axis of the jack shaft 61 indicated by the dot-and-dash center line X-X, Fig. 2, bodily revolves the cam shaft 'Hl about the jack shaft, and that the star wheel shaft 6 is in exact longitudinal alinement with the jack shaft, it is clear that such bodily rocking of the cam shaft will shift the Geneva cam 15 and pin 15 on the cam shaft relatively to the Geneva star wheel 8l whereby to position the film frames in register with the projection aperture, in a manner well known in the art as framing.

A gear 85 on the vertical counter-shaft I4 meshes with a driven gear 86 on the jack shaft 61 to drive the latter, the outer end of this jack shaft projecting beyond the outer face of the bearing yoke 66 and having fast thereon a helically toothed gear 81 engaging a complementary toothed gear 83 fast on the outwardly extended end of the cam or intermediate shaft 14, whereby during the operation of the machine, continuous rotation is imparted to the cam shaft With its cam and crank pin, to advance the star wheel 8l intermittently step by step with its shaft 80 and intermittent sprocket 82.

Turning a framing knob 90 (Fig. l) in one direction or the other operates through a train The star wheel or driven shaft including a gear 9| meshing with an arcuate rack 92 mounted on the eccentric ring 6I, to swing the casing head 50, 65, 66 and cover plate' 1.1 and arm 84, and the cam shaft 14 bodily relatively around the center line X-X to advance or retard the film for framing purposes, as is also well known in the art.

The novel self-contained power driven lubricating system is applied to the above described intermittent movement as follows:

Referring to Fig. l, a wide-mouthed funnel mounted in the non-operating chamber adjacent and on a plane slightly below the centrifugal governor, but preferably out of the path of lubricant discharged from the outlet tube 49, traps a part of the oil diffused by the governor, which trapped lubricant is discharged onto the intermeshing helical gears 81, 88 through a supply pipe I0| leading from the restricted end of the funnel to a point between the customary flywheel 89 onI the outer end of the cam shaft 14, and the outer face of the bearing yoke 66.

By partially housing the intermeshed helical gears in a cradle |02, best shown in Figs. l and 4, having pockets conforming with the peripheries of the helical gears, the latter acquire a dual function, that is, they retain their accustomed character as power transmitters, and in addition, are enabled to perform as a fluid pump.

The cradle |02 is secured to the outer face of the bearing yoke 66 to turn therewith in framing operations, the cradle being of a width (see Fig. 2) approximately equal to the distance between the outer face of the bearing yoke 66 and the inner face of the flywheel 89, which faces, with the cradle, form a container (see Figs. l and 4) for the lubricant discharged onto the helical gears from the supply pipe |0|.

The bearing yoke 66 has drilled therein a supply duct |03 leading from a point above the bottom of the cradle and closely adjacent the point at which the intermeshing teeth of the combined power transmitting gears and pump first engage, the duct leading to the inner end of a filtering cell |04 at one side of a filtering material |05 (Fig. 4) contained in the cell, an outlet duct |06 leading from the filtering cell above the filtering material and through the arcuate arm 65 to the closed intermittent chamber 64 in the casing head 50 into which lt discharges. A removable closure |01 for the cell |04 permits inspection, cleaning, and removal and substitution of the filtering material when necessary. These ducts |03, |06 might well be in the form of tubes arranged exteriorly of, and carried by, the bearing yoke 66, arm 65, and casing head 50, but such arrangement would expose the tubes to the liability of damage, which -is avoided by drilling the ducts in the casing itself.

From the foregoing, it is seen that when the machine is in operation, the intermeshing helical gears 81, 88 in the pocketed cradle |02 serve as a pump to drive the uid lubricant along the supply duct |03 under sufficient pressure to force ythe lubricant through the filter |05 and through the outlet duct |06 from whence it is discharged into the closed chamber 64 housing the Geneva gearing, where it collects and rises to a height sufficient to submerge the lower slotted teeth of the star wheel 8|. The star wheel, intermittently rotating at the usual average rate of 360 revolutions a minute, has a momentary maximum speed of about 3500 revolutions per minute during the turn-over only, it beingy remembered that a four-toothed star wheel turns only one-quarter of a revolution at a time, so that during that quarter-turn it has to make up in speed for the' time it remains at rest.

At such R. P. M. the star wheel imparts a highv Ldegree of turbulence to the pool of lubricant in the closed intermittent movement chamber 64,` resulting in. drcnching the entire movement with oil. The star wheel 8| and its shaft 80 are axially drilled, as at |08, the inner end of the passage opening on the face of the star wheel. beingy enlarged (see Figs. 2, 6, and 7) to form an oil intake and the outer end of the passage terminating in a radial outlet |09 (see Figs. 2 and. 8) leading to the periphery of the star wheel` shaft at a point within the bearing sleeve 19. The oil or other suitable lubricant fills the en` larged open end of the axial oil passage |08 in the star wheel, and is drawn into the axial pas` sage |00 due in part to capillary attraction and in part to the` suction created at the outer end. of the passage owing to the rapid rotationA of the star wheel shaft and its radially extendingy outlet |09, as has been proved by tests. The lubricant thus drawn into the oil passage |08 is. discharged through the outlet |09 where itY spreads between the star wheel shaft and its` sleeve bearing and is returned along thev shaft towards the closed intermittent movement chamber through the usual spiral oil return groove ||0 (Fig. 8) cut peripherally into the shaft, or if preferred, the spiral groove may be cut internally of the sleeve bearing.

However, notwithstanding the action of the.` return groove, the flow of oil from the outlet |09 is so copious that som'e of it might escape from the outer end of the sleeve bearing and` be thrown on the lm as it is fed by the intermittent sprocket 82 located adjacent the outer end'. of the sleeve bearing. To prevent such undesirable result, a further development of this invention includes the provision of means to insure the return of lubricant from between the star wheel shaft 80 and its sleeve bearing 19 to. the closed intermittent movement chamber 64' thusforming a complete circuit for the lubricant. To this end, a circular collar or enlargement I (Figs. 5-7) is provided between the star wheel and its shaft within the closed chamber 64, the collar preferably being of greater diameter than, and integral with, the shaft. An annular collecting groove I l2, best shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7,.

at the juncture of the shaft 80 and the outer face of its collar is formed partly in the shaft and partly in the adjacent face of the collar. The inner end of the spiral oil return groove ||0` communicates with that portion of the annular' collecting groove or chamber ||2 formed in the star wheel shaft, to which it delivers the oil from the bearing sleeve 19 and star wheel shaft. The outer face of the circular collar whichl ts snugly against the inner end of the sleeve bearing 19, is provided with outwardly extending flutes or ports ||3 leading from the annular collecting groove, which flutes may be radial, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, tangential, as shown in` Fig. 5, or radially inclined, as shown in Fig. 7. The utes or parts with collar III, rotating with the star wheel 80, set up a suction by centrifugal action to withdraw the oil from the collector groove H2 and from the star wheel shaft bearing, and disperse it from the iiutes around the intermittent movement chamber 64. This suc'- tion return of the lubricant to the intermittentl chamber constitutes one of the several novel features of this invention, and is effective to prevent leakage of lubricant from the front end of the star wheel shaft bearing 19 onto the intermittent feed sprocket and the lm engaging the sprocket. To prevent the intermittent chamber 66 from becoming filled with oil, it has been customary to provide a drain opening drilled through the wall of the chamber to discharge excess oil from the intermittent chamber into the sump, but this discharge was only effective when the intermittent movement was rotated within a comparatively restricted part of the maximum angle which the intermittent movement might assume, not alone in framing operations for which an adjustment of 90 is usually provided, but also through the tilting adjustment of the entire machine forwardly or rearwardly from a horizontal plane, such tilting adjustment adding another 60 more or less to the range of positions which the intermittent movement may have to assume.

To provide a universal means to maintain the liquid level at a reasonable height irrespective of the angular relation of the intermittent movement to the horizontal, the bearing 68 (Figs. 2 and 3) for the inner end of the jack shaft 6l is extended through one Wall of the bearing casing 50 enclosing the intermittent chamber 64 at a point above the bottom of the chamber, the bearing 68 being peripherally grooved as at l I4 (Figs. 2 and 3) substantially throughout its circumference to drain the chamber to the level of whichever groove is the lowest in any of the possible angular positions of the intermittent movement.

Obviously, rotation of the intermittent movement in framing and in tilting the machine will also affect the relation of the intermittent movementto the oil supply pipe IDI. In Fig. 4, the intermittent movement is shown in one of a number of its possible angular positions, in any of which the universal arrangement of drain grooves will prevent the oil level in the intermittent cham.- ber from rising too high, and the oil supply pipe because of the location of its discharge end near'the center of bodily rotation of the intermittent movement, will deliver oil onto one or the other of the helical gears 81, 88 of the combined intermittent drive and pump in any position which the intermittent movement is likely to assume in use.

From the foregoing it is clear that the invention contemplates the provision of an adequate system of lubrication for the driving mechanism of the projector head, wherein the well-known governor, heretofore employed only as a means forcontrolling the operation of a safety part accordingly as the speed of rotation of the drive mechanism increases above or decreases below a predetermined number of revolutions, is given the additional function of disseminating the lubricant in droplets throughout the non-operating side of the projector head to cover all exposed parts of the driving mechanism.

Furthermore, a circulatory lubricating system is provided for the enclosed intermittent movement, which system, in the herein illustrated form of the invention, is supplied with lubricant distributed by the governor, and the supply is so contrived as to deliver lubricant to the intermittent movement in any position that the intermittent movemment may assume in framing.

In this circulatory system also, the usual intermeshing gears heretofore used solely for imparting continuous rotation to the cam shaft of the automatic lubricating system for the sprocket shaft which derives its supply of oil from the closed chamber of the intermittent movement to which the oil is fed by the dual purpose driving and fluid pump gears.

Changes other than those hereinbefore rel ferred to may be made in the form and arrangement of the several parts described Without departing from the spirit and scope of the inven-r tion as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a lubricating system applicable to motion picture projecting machines, the combination with a projection head; a driving mechanism enclosed within the head, including a shaft; a rotatable governor driven by the shaft; and means shiftable to one position or another under control of the governor; of means to supply lubricant to the shaft and gears, including a pump; conduits connected with the pump to take lubricant from a supply and discharge it onto the rotary governor to enable the governor to comminute and disperse the lubricant onto the exposed driving mechanism; an enclosed intermittent movement, including a step-by-step feed; continuously rotating intermeshing gears operable by the shaft for driving the step-by-step feed, said gears also effective as a fluid pump; means to supply lubricant to the gears; and means to conduct the lubricant under pressure from the gears to the step-by-step feed.

2. In a motion picture projecting machine, the combination with a projector head; driving mechanism within the head, including a shaft; a shaftdriven governor; and means shiftable to one or another position under'control of the governor; of means to supply lubricant to the driving mechanism, including a pump; conduits connected With the pump to take lubricant from a supply and discharge it onto the governor to comminute the lubricant and disperse it onto the exposed driving mechanism; an intermittent movement, including a step-by-step feed and intermeshing gears operable by the shaft to drive the step-by-step feed; a pressure-lubricating system for the intermittent movement including the intermeshing gears as a fluid pump; and means to supply lubricant to, and lead it from the intermeshing gears.

3. An operating mechanism including an intermittent movement; a chambered casing enclosing the intermittent movement; said movement comprising a continuously rotatable shaft and an intermittently rotatable shaft journaled in the chamber casing in offset end-to-end relation, the adjacent ends of the shafts projecting into the chamber in the casing; inter-engaging means on the adjacent ends of the shafts to enable the continuously rotatable shaft to impart step-by-step rotation to the intermittently rotatable shaft; a drive shaft; and intermeshing gears on the drive shaft and on the continuously rotating shaft, respectively; of means to shower lubricant over the exposed operating mechanism; and a power-driven, pressure lubricating system for the intermittent movement, including means to trap a portion of the showered lubricant and deliver it to the intermeshed gears; means to at least partially sheathe the gears to retain a supply of lubricant in contact with the gears to enable the gears to serve as a pump; means having an intake opening adjacent the engaging sides of the intermeshing gear teeth to convey the lubricant under pump pressure to the chamber in the easing; means formed interiorly of the intermittently rotatable shaft to rdraw lubricant from the chamber to, and ldischarge it at, a point adjacent the outer end of its journal bearing; means formed peripherally of the intermittent shaft to return the lubricant towards the chamber; a collecting receptacle with which the peripheral lubricant return means communicates; and a rotary suction jet device having a radial groove in communication with the collecting receptacle to insure the return of the lubricant from the outer end of the journal bearing of the intermittent shaft to the l,

chamber.

4. In an operating mechanism, the combination with a chambered casing; an intermittent movement housed in the casing and including a continuously rotatable shaft, and an intermittently rotatable shaft journaled in the casing in offset, end-to-end relation, the adjacent ends of the shafts projecting into the chamber in the casing; inter-engaging means on the respective ends of said shafts to enable the continuously rotating shaft to impart step-by-step rotation to the intermittent shaft; a drive shaft; and powertransmitting intermeshing gears on the drive shaft and on the continuously rotatable shaft, respectively, of a pressure lubricating system for the intermittent movement, including means to deliver lubricant to the power-transmitting gears; means partially sheathing the gears to retain the lubricant in contact with the gears to enable the gears to also serve as a pump; and means having an intake adjacent the delivery side of the pump gears to conduct the pumped lubricant under pressure to the chamber in the casing.

5. In an operating mechanism, the combination with a chambered casing; an intermittent movement housed in the casing and including a continuously rotatable shaft, and an intermittently rotatable shaft journaled in the casing in offset, end-to-end relation, the adjacent ends of the shafts projecting into the chamber in the casing; inter-engaging means on the respective ends of said shafts to enable the continuously rotating shaft to impart step-by-step rotation to the intermittent shaft; a drive shaft; and powertransmitting intermeshing gears on the drive shaft and on the continuously rotatable shaft; respectively; of a pressure lubricating system for the intermittent movement, including means to deliver lubricant to the power-transmitting gears; means partially sheathing the gears to maintain them in a bath of lubricant to enable the gears to also serve as a pump; means having an intake adjacent the delivery side of the pump gears to conduct the pumped lubricant under pressure to the chamber in the casing; and a filter interposed in said conveying means between the gear pump and the chamber.

6. In a lubricating system for intermittent movements of motion picture projecting machines, the combination with a chambered casing head; a `continuously rotatable 4shaft and an intermittently rotatable shaft extending rin opposite directions and journaled in off-set endto-end relation in the casing head, the adjacent ends of said shafts projecting into the cham- ,ber in the casing head; inter-engaging means on the adjacent ends of the said shafts to enable the continuously rotatable shaft to impart intermittent rotation .to the intermittentlyrotatable shaft; a second l,continuously rotatable shaft in axial alinement with the intermittent shaft and parallel with the first-named continuously rotating shaft; intermeshing gears on .the respective continuously rotatable shafts to 4enable said second rotatable shaft to impart rotation to the first-named rotatable shaft; means to supply lubricant to the gears to enable the gears to serve as a fluid gear pump; and a duct, the inlet opening of which is located in position to take the lubricant pumped by the gears, said duct discharging into the chamber in the casing head.

7. In a lubricating system for intermittent movements of motion picture projecting ma.- chineS, the combination with a chambered casing head, a continuously rotatable shaft and an intermittently rotatable shaft extending in opposite directions and journaled in off-set endto-end relation in the casing head, the adjacent ends of said shafts projecting into the chamber in the casing head; inter-engaging `means on the adjacent ends of the said shafts to enable the continuously rotatable shaft to impart intermittent rotation to the intermittently rotatable shaft; a second continuously rotatable shaft in axial alinement with the intermittent shaft and Vparallel with the first-named continuously rotating shaft; intermeshing gears on the respective continuously rotatable shafts to enable said second rotatable shaft to impart rotation to the first-named rotatable shaft; means to supply lubricant to the gears to enable the gears to vserve as a fluid gear pump; a duct leading from the discharge side of the intermeshing gears to the chamber in the casing head, to convey the lubricant under pressure from the gear pump to said chamber; and a filter interposed in the duct between the inlet and discharge ends thereof.

8. In a lubricating system for the intermittent movement of a motion picture projecting machine, the combination with a casing head having a chamber; a cam shaft and a starwheel shaft extending in opposite directions and Journald in off-set end-to-end relation in the casing head, the adjacent ends of the said shafts projecting into the chamber; inter-engaging means on Said adjacent ends to enable the'cam shaft to impart intermittent rotation to the star Wheel shaft; a rotatable drive shaft in axial alinement with the starwheel shaft and parallel with the cam shaft, said drive shaft normally rotating continuously in one direction; intermeshing gears on the drive and cam shafts to rotate the cam shaft; means for feeding lubricant to said intermeshing gears. a housing forming a pump chamber enclosing said gears on corresponding sides thereof whereby. upon said normal rotation of said drive shaft, said intermeshing gears pump said lubricant into said pump chamber; means to rock the casing head about the alined axes of the starwheel and drive shafts as a center to bodily shift the cam shaft angularly about the drive shaft; a duct having an outlet opening in said chamber and an inlet opening in said pump chamber to ltake the lubricant pumped by the sears and discharge 13 it into the chamber in the casing head; and means to maintain a `constant lubricant level in the chamber irrespective of the angle of rotation of the casing head about said alined axes.

9. In a lubricating system for the intermittent movement of a motion picture projecting machine, the combination with a casing head having a chamber; a cam shaft and a star wheel shaft extending in opposite directions and journaled in off-set end-to-end relation in the casing head, the adjacent ends of the said shafts projecting into the chamber; inter-engaging means on said adjacent ends to enable the cam shaft to impart intermittent rotation to the star Wheel shaft; a rotatable drive shaft in axial alinement with the starwheel shaft and parallel with the cam shaft, said drive shaft normally rotating continuously in one direction; intermeshing gears on the drive and cam shafts to rotate the cam shaft; means for feeding lubricant to said intermeshing gears, a housing forming a pump chamber enclosing said gears on corresponding sides thereof whereby, upon said normal rotation of said drive shaft, said intermeshing gears pump said lubricant into said pump chamber; means to rock the casing head about the alined axes of the star wheel and drive shafts as a center, to bodily shift the cam shaft angularly about the drive shaft; a duct having an outlet opening in said chamber and an inlet opening in said pump chamber to take the lubricant pumped by the gears and discharge it into the chamber in the casing head; and means to maintain a constant lubricant level in the chamber irrespective of the angle of rotation of the casing head about said alined axes, comprising an annular series of discharge openings arranged concentrically to the axis of rotation of the casing head.

10. In an operating mechanism, the combination with a chambered casing; an intermittent movement housed in the casing, and including a continuously rotatable shaft, and an intermittently rotatable shaft journaled in the casing in off-set, end-to-end relation, the adjacent ends of the shafts projecting into the chamber in the casing; inter-engaging means on the respective ends of said shafts to enable the continuously rotating shaft to impart step-by-step rotation to the intermittent shaft; a drive shaft; and powertransmitting intermeshing gears on the drive shaft and on the continuously rotatable shaft, respectively; of a pressure lubricating system for the intermittent movement, including'means to deliver lubricant to the power-transmitting gears; means to partially sheathe the gears to maintain the gears in a bath of lubricant, whereby the gears may also act as a pump; conveying means having an intake adjacent the engaging sides of the intermeshing gear teeth to conduct the lubricant under pressure to the chamber in the casing; meansformed interiorly of the intermittent shaft to draw lubricant from the chamber along the shaft and discharge it at the periphery of the shaftl near the outer end of the journal; means formed peripherally of the intermittent shaft to return the lubricant towards the chamber; and a centrifugal suction means on the intermittent shaft and in communication With the peripheral means Which returns the lubricant, to insure such return and to discharge the returned lubricant into the chamber.

l `11. In a motion picture projecting machine having an intermittent movement, including a bodily rotatable chambered casing; oppositely extending, continuously and intermittently rotat- 14 able shafts journaled in offset end-tc-end relation in the casing with their adjacent ends projecting into the casing chamber; intermittent gearing connecting said adjacent ends; a drive shaft; and intermeshing toothed drive gears on the drive and continuously rotatable shafts, re-

spectively, to transmit motion to the continuously rotatable shaft; of a pressure lubricating system for the intermittent movement, including means to supply lubricant to the gears; means partially housing the gears to retain lubricant in contact with the gears to enable the gears to also pump lubricant; and a conduit leading from the discharge side of the drive gears to the chamber in the casing housing the intermittent gearing; means to lead lubricant from the chamber to the intermittent shaft journal in the casing; means to return the lubricant exteriorly of the shaft towards the chamber; and suction means with which the lubricant-return means communicates, to insure the return of the lubricant to the chamber.

12. In an intermittent movement having a chambered casing, the combination with oppositely-extending, relatively offset shafts journaled in the casing, the adjacent ends of which shafts project into the chamber; a drive shaft; toothed gears on the drive shaft and on one of the oifset shafts, respectively, to impart a continuous rotation to the said off-set shaft, inter-engaging means on the adjacent ends of the respective oifset shafts to enable the continuously rotatable shaft to impart intermittent rotation to the remaining olf-set shaft; said intermittently rotatable shaft having internal and external conduits, one of which conveys fluid from the chamber to the journal of the intermittent shaft, and the other of which returns the fluid toWards the chamber;- of additional means to insure the return of the fluid to the chamber; and powerdriven means to introduce fluid under pressure from a supply into the chamber, including means to, at least partially house the gears to retain a portion of the fluid in contact with the entering sides of the intermeshing gears; and a conduit leading from a point adjacent the discharge sides of the intermeshing gears to the chamber.

13. A power-driven lubricating system for intermittent movements comprising a chambered casing; a continuously rotatable shaft and an intermittently rotatable shaft journaled in off-set end-to-end relation, the adjacent ends of the shafts protruding into the chamber in the casing; inter-engaging means on the adjacent inner ends of the shafts to enable the continuously rotatable shaft to impart step-by-step rotation to the intermittent shaft; a drive shaft; and inter-meshing power-transmitting gears on the drive shaft and the continuously rotatable shaft, respectively; means to at least partially enclose the gears to enable them to serve as a pump; means to supply liquid to the gears; means to conduct the liquid under pressure, from the gears to the chamber in the casing; internal and external means on the intermittent shaft to first draw liquid from the casing, discharge it onto the periphery of the intermittent shaft, and to return the discharged liquid towards the chamber from said periphery; and a` suction means with which the exterior fluid return means communicates, to insure the return of the liquid to the chamber.

14. In a machine, the combination with a head; driving mechanism within the head, including a shaft; and a shaft-driven centrifugal governor rotatable in horizontal plane; of means to supply ammi lubnlnt to the driving mechanism, including a pump; inlet and lout-let conduits :connected with the pump to draw lubricant from a supply and to zdischarge it in a stream onto the governor which, when rotating at speed, `comminutes the `lubricant into droplets and dispersos the droplets `onto the exposed driving mechanism; an enclosed 4intermittent movementl having a star Wheel; .a lubricant-containing chamber in which the'liintermittentstar Wheel rotates; interrneshing gears operable fby the shaft, to `drive the intermitteilt movement; a self-contained, closed circuit, .lubricating system for the intermittent movement, :the inlet .and .discharge ends of which communicate with the lubricant-containing fchamber; means to trap apart ofthe lubricant dispersed bythe governor and discharge it onto the 7lnterrneshing gears; means `at least partially enclosing the intermeshing gears to enable them `toiserve also Aas a gear pump; said last-named 'means having `a duct leading tothe lubricantcontaining chamber, whereby the lubricant discharged onto the gears is force-fed by the gears to the chamber; and means operable incident to 1the=operation of the intermittent movement to rdraw lubricant from the lubricant-containing chamber through said self-contained, .closed circuit lubricating system, and return it to said chamber.

15. In a lubricating .system for machines having acompartment for exposed operating `mechanisms on which the lubricant may be showered; and an enclosed mechanism not readily accessible 4to direct lubrication by the showered lubricant; rthe'combination with a power-driven pump connected with a supply of lubricant; a lubricant- 'disseminating device; a conduit leading from the 'pump and discharging onto said device; and a `drive shaft for said lubricant-disseminating device; of an enclosed housing having a chamber formed therein; a countershaft journaled in the housing and driven from the drive shaft; an intermediate shaft and a driven shaft, each journaled in the housing, the adjacent ends of the intermediate and driven shafts projecting into 4said chamber; interengaging elements `on the respectiveintermediate and driven shafts to communicate motion to the driven shaft; intermeshing gears connecting the countershaft and the intermediate shaft to impart motion to the intermediate shaft; means at least partially enclosing ythe inter-meshing gears to enable them to function as a gear pump, said pump having a discharge side; means to supply lubricant to the in- `terrneshing gears; a duct leading from the discharge side-of the gear pump to convey lubricant under pressure tosaid chamber; a closed circuit lubricating system for the driven shaft having its inlet and discharge ends communicating with said chamber, whereby the .lubricant can circulate, including means to initiate and maintain `a circulation of lubricant through the closed circuit during the operation of the driven shaft.

l`6. The combination, in a Vmachine casing hav- `ing a compartment; Aa driving mechanism in the compartment, including `a drive shaft; and a lshaft-'driven centrifugal governor rotatable in horizontal plane; ol' means to lubricate the exposed drivingmeans in the compartment, including means to discharge lubricant onto the centrifugal governor for comminution and dispersion by the governor throughout the compartment; an intermittent movement including an .intermediate shaft driven from said drive shaft, and a driven shaft; a housing within the corn'- partment for enclosing the intermittent movementfsaid housing being chambered; corresponding ends oi' the intermediate and drive shafts protruding from the housing; the opposite end yof the .intermediate shaft projecting into the `chamlzver in the housing; intermeshing gears mounted on the exteriorly rprotruding ends lof the drive shaft and the intermediate shaft, respectively, to drive the intermediate shaft; means at least partially enclosing the intermeshing gears to enablethem to function also as a gear pump; means to trap a part :of the dispersed `lubricant and deliver it to `the intermeshing gears; -a duct leading from the intermeshing gears to the chain- `ber in the housing to convey the lubricant under pressure from the intermeshing gears and `pump tothe chamber.; and a closed circuit lubricating system for the intermittent `movement supplied by lubricant from, and returning lubricant to, the chamber.

17.3111 a machine having a compartment, vexposed drive mechanism within the compartment; means to disperse lubricant ina spray throughout the compartment; a housing adjustably mounted within the compartment; a chamber Within the housing; intermittent feed mechanism mounted in the housing, including an intermedi- Yate shaft, one end of which projects into the chamber; a driven shaft journaled in the hous- Iing with one end also projecting into the chamber; inter-engaging means on the vadjacent ends of the intermediate and the driven shafts, respectively; to enable the intermediate shaft to rotate the driven shaft; a drive shaft journaled `in the housing adjacent the intermediate shaft; intermeshing gears mounted on the drive and intermediate shafts, respectively, to rotate `the intermediate shaft; means at least partially enclosing the intermeshing gears to enable them `to `also act as a gear pump; said last-named means having a duct leading to the chamber in the adjustable housing to supply the chamber with lubricant; and means to `divert apart of Isaid dispersed lubricant and deliver it to the intermeshing gears in `any of the adjusted positions of the housing in which the gears are mounted.

13. In a motion picture machine, a housing adapted to be supported in one of a plurality of characteristic operating positions, a plurality of lparts to be lubricated exposed within said `housing, said parts includinga governor disposed adjacent the topof the casing and having centrifugal elements normally rotating in a. generally horizontal plane, said parts also including a plurality of other elements disposed at various locations about the interior of said casing, and lubricant conduit means for delivery of liquid lubricant onto the centrifugal elements, said centrifugal elements being disposed above at least most of Isaid other elements in the normal operating position of the machine, whereby the lubricant delivered `thereto is applied to said governor and is cornminuted and disseminated thereby over the parts Adisposed below said centrifugal elements.

19. In a motion picture machine, a housing `adapted to be supported in one `of a plurality of characteristic normal operating positions, a plurality of parts to be lubricated exposed within said housing, said parts including a governor disposed adjacent the top of the casing substantially at the upper end of a normally vertical shaft `and having centrifugal elements normally rotating in a generally horizontal plane, said parts also including a plurality of other elements geared to said shaft and disposed at various locations about the interior of said casing laterally of said shaft, and lubricant conduit means for delivery of liquid lubricant onto the centrifugal elements, said centrifugal elements being disposed above at least most of said other elements in the normal operating position of the machine, whereby the lubricant delivered thereto is applied to said governor and is comminuted and disseminated thereby over the parts disposed below said centrifugal elements.

20. In a lubricating system; the combination with a housing having a chamber; a train of shafting including a continuously rotating drive shaft; an intermediate shaft; and a driven shaft journaled in the housing; a gear pump having input and output sides and a pair of intermeshing gear pump elements, said intermeshing gear pump elements being respectively afxedon the drive and intermediate shafts to form a driving connection from said drive shaft to said intermedi ate shaft; the adjacent ends of the intermediate and the driven shafts projecting into the chamber; of means to supply the input side of said gear pump with lubricant; a duct leading from the output side of the gear pump to the chamber; and circulating system means having intake and discharge ends in said chamber and extending along the driven shaft whereby to lubricate the latter.

21. In a lubricating system; the combination with a housing having a chamber; a trainr of shafting including a continuously rotating drive shaft; an intermediate shaft; and a driven shaft journaled in the housing; a gear pump having input and output sides and a pair of intermeshing gear pump elements, said intermeshing gear pump elements being respectively affixed on the drive and intermediate shafts to form a driving connection from said drive shaft to said intermediate shaft; the adjacent ends of the intermediate and the driven shafts projecting into the chamber; of means to supply the input side of said gear pump With lubricant; a duct leading from the output side of the gear pump to the chamber; circulating system having intake and discharge ends in said chamber, said circulating system extending along said driven shaft so as to lubricate the same; means to adjust the angular position of the housing about an axis fixed with respect to the housing; said intake end of the circulating system being concentric with said axis; and lubricant outlet means in said chamber, said outlet means being concentric with said axis, whereby to maintain a substantially constant level of lubricant in said chamber with respect to said intake end of said circulating system regardless of the angular adjustment of said housing about said axis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 892,479 Whiteley Nov. 6, 1888 1,727,016 McCray i Sept. 3, 1929 1,764,783 Frappier June 12, 1930 2,211,363 Brenkert Aug. 13, 1940 2,211,364 Brenkert Aug. 13, 1940 2,249,843 Marsland July 22, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 408,853 Germany Jan. 27, 1925 417,465 Germany Aug. 11, 1925 

